Despite enjoying an impressive pre-season scoring in a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and netting a hat-trick against Stoke City, along with a goal versus Preston Núñez looks set to leave Anfield this summer.
With Liverpool investing heavily in Hugo Ekitike and still linked with a potential move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, the 26-year-old has seemingly fallen down the pecking order under new management.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool have agreed to sell Núñez for €53 million (around £46.2m) plus performance-based add-ons a notable drop from the €85 million (£74.1m) they paid Benfica for him just two years ago. That initial fee could have risen to £85m with bonuses, making this deal a significant financial loss for the club.
However, Núñez is said to be open to the move and has given a verbal nod to the transfer. If completed, he’ll join an Al-Hilal squad already stacked with big names including Theo Hernandez, Ruben Neves, Malcom, Aleksandar Mitrović, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
While there are still minor formalities to finalise, the deal is not expected to fall through, and Núñez could join Al-Hilal during their pre-season training camp in Germany.
Earlier this year, Saudi rivals Al-Nassr reportedly had a £60m bid rejected in January. Liverpool were unwilling to sell the striker mid-season without a replacement lined up even if it meant accepting a lower offer later.
Núñez had also attracted interest from Serie A, with both AC Milan and Napoli reportedly keen, but those clubs appear to have backed off due to the financial demands of the deal.
